Gremlin's Tall Stories

Typical… depths of winter, my beloved BMW in a crate probably half way around the world and being paid to ride around the country. Terrible isn’t it?

Another trip to Wellington was called for, to change a couple of modem configs, the only downside being a weekend trip and work both sides during the week, but who cares? Any ride is a good ride in my book.

Of course, the only annoyance was that the bike equipped for it, with heated grips, GPS, plenty of luggage, etc., wasn’t available. Getting around cities is much easier with a GPS (yeah… I can already hear you howling with laughter). The Hornet was to be given a rare outing travelling so far afield. Of course, the heated grips, after 5+ years of flawless operation had broken just over a week prior. This was to be my downfall later.

Finishing off work around 11pm on Friday night, I was up later than planned on Saturday, and the original leaving time of 10am max ended up being 11.30am, but that’s hardly surprising for me. SH1 to SH2 and then onto SH27, I had a reasonably clear run until SH27, before reaching the rear of a queue. Very courteously they all turned off for Coromandel or Tauranga, leaving me an empty road.

I was being given a sharp reminder exactly how difficult a naked bike is to ride for long distances, completely exposed to the wind and was being to feel the stiffness creep in, but continued. The first hour saw only 75km travelled, due to city traffic, but the 2nd hour was a more respectable 100km travelled. A 1 stop strategy was out, as the Hornet didn’t have such a range, so after re-joining SH1 at Tirau a stop in Tokoroa was called for. Back on the road and stuck in 6th gear for a large chunk of the time (the Hornet would use 6th from about 70pkh) the road was still nice and quiet so a good pace was set to Turangi. This was fortunate, as I appeared in Turangi around 3.15pm, with the bakery almost devoid of tasty morsels.

A pie and mandatory piece of carrot cake for $2.30 was consumed, with a quick check-in to the boss. It wasn’t overly warm, but with overhead cloud, the weather had varied between a bit of heavy rain, a decent amount of soft drizzle and even dry conditions, keeping the temperature up enough. As I am visiting the USA during summer, I didn’t send my Rukka gear, as it would have been far too hot, so it was very handy for this trip.

Continuing south, Desert Road was pretty damn cold, with Ruapehu initially hiding from me behind thick cloud, but popped into view near the end of Desert Road. Even Desert Road was quiet, so the lack of traffic was very enjoyable. South of Waiouru was a cop hunting for people to speak to, but with no radar detector I had no warning, and therefore, keeping firmly in the safe zone (the Hornet is also excellent at not speed creeping). Continuing to Taihape, just north I realised my low beam wasn’t working in my headlight…. Excellent… I’ve been here before. I decided to keep high beam off, to conserve it if required, as it was already verging on dusk.

Safely in Turangi, I decided not to risk being caught in the country with no beams left at night and was very happy to have taken a spare bulb with me. Pulling out the bulb revealed a blown low beam… just my luck when I’m far away from home once in a blue moon on this bike. New bulb in, and back to normal service.

Traffic got heavier as I approached Wellington and I continue to be surprised just how much time is lost passing through Levin, Waikanae etc. and having to stop at traffic lights. I used Haywards from SH1 to SH2 to approach via Lower Hutt (only confirmed it was Haywards afterwards) with the aim of collecting office keys from a member of staff, only to be foiled because she didn’t have all required. Messages left with another, I proceeded into town, figuring it was best to find the accommodation.

I missed my GPS on the bars. Staying on the motorway, I said to myself, hell, it’s Wellington, it’s at the bottom of an island, so the motorway has to stop somewhere. When I saw signs for Seatoun and Airport, fortunately I remember my trip to deliver the BMW for shipping, and that the airport was south of the actual city… Shit… hopped off the very next exit, I believe it was the Terraces. Arriving at a T intersection, I don’t recognise anything and decide to take a left. Next street I think I need, sounds familiar to access Gladstone Rd…

Up a hill… sweet, seems right… down a hill… crap, this is wrong. U turn, stop in the domain under some lights, and another look at the mobile. Oh, have to be on the other side of the domain. A street that looks like it goes through doesn’t (thanks Wellington, it would be handy to put no exit on the street sign huh?) A bit more zooming and I’m on the other side. Did I pass my hotel? Another look at the mobile and a quick trip up the road… Yep. Down the road, almost missed it again

Checked in, and had it confirmed the hotel had changed names, hence the two different names here and there. Unloading the bike and a gremlin sized hole leaps out of the ground and attempts to swallow me, getting as far as one leg before I’m able to resist. The cone is now explained. Metal plates on the ground barely cover a hole and a few steps shifts the plate enough to have a foot go into the hole, which didn’t have a bottom as far as I am concerned.

Hauled myself out, fortunately my camera in my right hand had stayed above ground. Finished unpacking without destroying any more property (such is my propensity). A quick change, an enquiry about the restaurant, and it had just closed. I have these skills in abundance. Food was recommended just down the road in Tinakori? Village.

Strolled down the road and found the Shepherd’s Arms, where a rugby match was in full swing (Stormers v Crusaders from memory). Crusaders won and I burnt my mouth out trying to eat Seafood Chowder while it was still too hot. On the walk back to the hotel I popped into a Dairy and grabbed some sweets. Evening was spent watching some movies and I got a text giving me some access details to the client office for the following day.

The following morning I sent some teasing txt messages to KoroJ, basically saying hello, and I was in Wellington. He was in the area, so popped by for a coffee while I was having breakfast and we caught up on all things under the sun (he did drive though… despicable). Unfortunately, time passed far too quickly, and we had to finish, as he had work and packing to do and I had to vacate my room.

Into the city, and it was like entering a ghost town. Seriously you Welly folk… 10.30am on Sunday, no-one around. I’ve been in the area before, so a bit of hunting for the nearest motorcycle park to the building and the work was completed in two hours.

Leaving Wellington, I elected not to bother trying to find lunch, knowing Taihape would have a BP. BP has food. The ride north was definitely colder than the trip south. Reaching Taihape by fingers had transformed into ice cubes and the BP looked quite busy with well rugged up people. Least it wasn’t only me. Picking up a hot pie, sausage roll and a cup cake, the hot food achieved its aim of thawing me out. A couple of pics were snapped of a very well presented muscle car… no idea what is was, but it sounded and looked good (besides the naff chrome wheels). As I was preparing to leave, a Speed/Street Triple arrived from the north, ridden by a lady, so a quick chat about the road and she said it was closing in as she went through, and a car following her had told her it was about 2 degrees. Her heated grips were working.

Leaving Taihape shortly before 4pm, I was keen to pass through Desert Road before the sun disappeared, as the temperature would drop noticeably. I almost achieved this aim, but holy hell, it was extremely cold. The Rukka jacket and pants were showing their class, keeping my core warm, but the gloves and boots could not withstand the cold and I lost count of how many times I looked at the grips, hoping they would magically start working.

Reaching Turangi I was planning to stop at the Truck stop to steal the warmth of their fire, but it was busy, and I didn’t feel like de-gearing again so soon. I was already feeling warmer so decided not to bother and pressed on through Taupo to Tokoroa. Another gas stop required, I had started upping the pace due to night falling at the roads getting quiet, so economy was probably dropping. I was again freezing cold by Tokoroa, my feet joining in, in the ice cube feeling.

A longer stop to try and thaw them out, I ended up not waiting, as it was taking too long. The tinted visor was swapped for the clear for an easy run through to Auckland. Using the tinted visor so much, I love how much I can see in the middle of the night using a clear visor. Reversing the route south, I turned off at Tirau and started chasing cars down. One car provided some interesting times, as they caught up from behind rapidly enough to suspect a cop.

Overtaking had to be carefully done, not exceeding the limit, but when I opened up a gap after passing vehicles, it would be closed shortly after. At the roundabout on SH27 the car finally turned off, leaving me a little more relieved. The rest was an uneventful run back to Auckland, still cold enough for the temp gauge not to register normal, but certainly warmer than Desert Road.

Returning home around 9.30pm it was straight into a warm shower, one of the best I have ever had. Still wish I had had my BMW for that trip… it was built for it.